The construction of what could be one of the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere is one step closer after a 110-metre wind monitoring tower was erected on Robbins Island. The tower is one of four that international renewable energy company UPC Renewables will deploy to collect data to help finance its proposed wind farms on Robbins Island and at Jim’s Plain in Circular Head. The two farms were expected to generate up to 1000 megawatts, enough power for 600,000 homes or every household in Adelaide. The project is a “game-changer” for Tasmania and Australia, said UPC Renewables Australia CEO, Anton Rohner. “We will be producing power that will reduce the cost of energy, will push the prices lower and any surplus power will then hopefully be transported through the second [Basslink] interconnector,” he said. Construction of both wind farms was expected to be completed by 2023 and cost between $1.2 and $1.6 billion. UPC hasn’t accessed any government assistance schemes, such as the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, to fund the project, but the company is relying on the government to construct a second interconnector so it can export power to the mainland. The state and federal government last month announced $20 million to develop a business case for a second interconnector. Tasmanian Energy Minister Guy Barnett said the UPC wind farm project would help achieve the government’s goal for the state to be “100 per cent or more” energy self sufficient by 2022. “It confirms the opportunity for Tasmania to be the battery of the nation and Tasmania can deliver jobs galore as a result of renewable energy developments and low cost power,” he said. Robbins Island is owned by the Hammond family, which has considered diversifying into wind farms for almost two decades. The family will lease land to UPC, and John Hammond, one of three brothers and directors of Robbins Island Wagyu Beef, said the project was “hugely significant”. “It’s always been a matter of trying to survive economically and we see this as another way to farm and another way to diversify and another way to help keep the property,” he said. The two wind farms were expected to create 250 jobs during construction and 50 more once operational. Mr Rohner said UPC would try to use “as many locals as possible” and was working with different groups to help up-skill the local workforce. Circular Head mayor Daryl Quilliam said the project and the jobs it would provide was “probably one of the best Christmas presents Circular Head could get”. “I see many positives for our community with this development,” he said.

The construction of what could be one of the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere is one step closer after a 110-metre wind monitoring tower was erected on Robbins Island.

The tower is one of four that international renewable energy company UPC Renewables will deploy to collect data to help finance its proposed wind farms on Robbins Island and at Jim’s Plain in Circular Head.

The two farms were expected to generate up to 1000 megawatts, enough power for 600,000 homes or every household in Adelaide.

The project is a “game-changer” for Tasmania and Australia, said UPC Renewables Australia CEO, Anton Rohner.

“We will be producing power that will reduce the cost of energy, will push the prices lower and any surplus power will then hopefully be transported through the second [Basslink] interconnector,” he said.

ONE STEP CLOSER: Robbins Island Wagyu Beef co-director John Hammond.

Construction of both wind farms was expected to be completed by 2023 and cost between $1.2 and $1.6 billion.

UPC hasn’t accessed any government assistance schemes, such as the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, to fund the project, but the company is relying on the government to construct a second interconnector so it can export power to the mainland.

The state and federal government last month announced $20 million to develop a business case for a second interconnector.

Tasmanian Energy Minister Guy Barnett said the UPC wind farm project would help achieve the government’s goal for the state to be “100 per cent or more” energy self sufficient by 2022.